DirectX 10 release?

[Revolution09]

I've been looking for a new video card for a little while, and I've finally come to a decision of what I want to get, however now I keep hearing about DirectX 10. I tried searching but couldn't find even a rough date of when it will be coming out- I don't want to buy a new card now, and then a month later have DX10 come out (along with all the new cards). Would it be wise to wait? Or will it be 6 months+ until it comes out? I won't be buying Vista right away if that makes a difference- I read DX10 will only be out for Vista (and not XP) so that will give me more time. Thanks- hopefully this post makes sense just kinda typing as I come up with some thoughts.

 

[flexy]

i mean its basically out already since it is part of vista.

the "official" retail-release "on the shelves" date of vista is january, 30th. But many already have it, eg. beta-testers who d/l from microsoft for free. Vista is already finished - it's just a matter of time til the avg person sees it in a store.

 

[Revolution09]

Originally posted by: flexy
i mean its basically out already since it is part of vista.

the "official" retail-release "on the shelves" date of vista is january, 30th. But many already have it, eg. beta-testers who d/l from microsoft for free. Vista is already finished - it's just a matter of time til the avg person sees it in a store.

ah ok, so it should only be a month or so (until Vista is officially on the shelves of stores)

 

[TanisHalfElven]

what you should wait for isa midrange DX10 offerings. high end is already available but considering you don't wanna upgrade in 6 months i don't think you wanna spend 400 on a video card either.

 

[Ruptga]

Vista is coming out relatively soon, but if you want to upgrade now, do it. There will always be something new on the horizon. Once Vista is out, people will tell you to wait for R600, and then the 8850GTX refresh, it just goes on. It's all a matter of personal preference; some buy a new card at every major event, some wait three years and then buy whatever is out for a good price, regardless of what is on the horizon. It all depends on what you use the computer for, and what your budget is.

 

[Revolution09]

Originally posted by: ADDAvenger
Vista is coming out relatively soon, but if you want to upgrade now, do it. There will always be something new on the horizon. Once Vista is out, people will tell you to wait for R600, and then the 8850GTX refresh, it just goes on. It's all a matter of personal preference; some buy a new card at every major event, some wait three years and then buy whatever is out for a good price, regardless of what is on the horizon. It all depends on what you use the computer for, and what your budget is.

I do a moderate amount of gaming (Half Life 2, CS Source, Rainbow Six games, might be getting Battlefield 2142). I also do some graphic design, web development and 3D modelling. By the way- the card I said I decided on it the OP was an Asus X1950 Pro (if that helps give some more info...). My budget right now is about $250 CAN for the card because I'm going to buy buying a new power supply as well.

 

[flexy]

revolution, it doesnt even sound you *need* a DX10 card for HL2 and CS:S. I hown a X850XT and it does *beautifully* especially on source-engine games, hl2, cs:s (i play hl2 and hl2M religiously)...and i am talking about GOOD rates (like 70,80,90) FPS and higher with 4xAA on. And you can get a X800, X850XT *really* cheap now. Of corse, a X1950 is even better....but then look at your requirements and if its worth it.

 

[rstrohkirch]

Why would you upgrade for a standard when you have absolutely no clue how well the the card you intend on upgrading to performs in it?

Either it matters to you and you're going to wait to make a sensical purchasing decision or it doesn't and you chose a product now.

 

[Ruptga]

The 1950pro sounds good for ya. You want it, you'd make use of it, and it's not so over the top that its value will halve in six months.

You will need to have Vista to use DX10, and all the old timers seem to say that new OSs aren't worth it until at least six months after the initial release, if not until its SP1. The 1950pro should last you a good bit longer than that, which means you'll have a good bit of value left in it for resell if you want, or you could hang onto it for two or three years if you want.

 

[TridenT]

Current Dx10 Cards are the 8800s from nVidia. They are pricey though.

 

[TheRyuu]

Originally posted by: TridenTBoy3555
Current Dx10 Cards are the 8800s from nVidia. They are pricey though.

...but oh so sweet

 

[Revolution09]

Thanks alot for the replies. I agree with ADD Avenger said, I definately won't be getting Vista right away- I'll be waiting around 6 months or so atleast. I'm gonna just get the X1950 Pro right now, and in 6 months to a year upgrade it when I get Vista. Thanks again for the help

 

[swamyg1]

I was in the exact same boat and bought the exact same card (x1950pro) and couldn't be happier! DO IT DO IT!

 

[kopema]

I don't even see why people think of the release date of a new piece of application software as a "major event," or try to make plans (let alone hardware upgrades) in anticipation of what is basically interface software that has little if anything to interface WITH on the day it's first released.

The release of vista, or DX10 will mean very little until the software has come out for it. And the first software (including games) that come out advertising that they use new application features are always at least a little bit lame. And the first hardware that comes out is nearly always underpowered compared to what will be needed once the software catches up.

It will be several months before games come out that take significant advantage of the features. And it will be years (if ever) before games come out that truly RELY on the new applications, and before new hardware comes out that can truly play that new software the way it's meant to be played with all the new features turned on.

This is all an iterative processs. Every new advance is nice, but each one is just another tiny little ratchet in the huge wheel of progress, not some kind of major revolution the rest of the world has to drop everything and hop onto.

And that's all assuming the best case scenario. Doesn't anybody remember things like Microsoft ME, and that weird "Bob" thing? No matter who's pushing it, there's never a guarantee any operating system or application is going to catch on AT ALL, let alone become something you NEED.

The bottom line: IF you want to upgrade, then upgrade. And, all else being equal, if one video card advertises it makes better use of a brand new application, you might let that influence your buying decision a bit. But it will be a long time before any system or application coming out now will be something you really need to worry too much about.